Stephen kubth



S. KURTH.

MASSAGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION man MAR. 6. 1919.

1,3 14,525 Patented Sept. 2,1919.

. 2 $HEET$-SHEET l.

INVENTOR- STEPl-lfN lfu im ATTORNEY ml: COLUMBIA mflomuvfl c0., WASHINGTON, n. c.

S. KURTH.

MASSAGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 6, 1919.

1,314,525. Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

STEPHEN Kw; 7w

ATTORNEY STEPHEN KURTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MASSAGE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed March a, 1919. Serial No. 281,026.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN KURTH, a citizen of Hungary, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Massage Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a massage device adapted more particularly for massaging, rubbing or washing the back of the user, and it has for a general object to provide a device of this kind which will eliminate the trouble ordinarily experienced in such operations due to the ditficulty of reaching around to the back with the hands.

More specifically speaking the invention has for an object to provide a novel and simple device of this kind which may be readily mounted upon or detached from a bath tub and which will have its various parts so arranged as to permit of easy manipulation by the user.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of these objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a face view of my}; device showing it mounted on a bathtu Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlargedsectional view of one of the suction devices adapted to engage the side of the bath tub,

Fig. 6 is a front view of the plunger carried thereby.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the means for operating the device.

While I do not limit myself to any particular way of using my device, I contemplate more particularly its use on a bathtub, which latter is shown in cross section at 1.

As here shown my device comprises a rigid frame having vertical side posts 2 united by cross bars 3, these posts and bars being conveniently made of tubing, and the posts having the feet 4. formed thereon which may rest upon the bottom of the tub.

Each post 2 is provided with a suitable opening 5 near its lower end to receive a horizontal bar 6 and 7, respectively, which extend in substantial alinement with each other and whose inner ends overlap and are provided with the apertures S and 9 to receive the screws 10 by which the bars are fastened together.

Upon the outer ends of the bars 6 and 7 are mounted feet adapted to press against the sides of the bath tub and the spring pressed disks 15 having surface members 16 of a rubber or the like secured thereto by bolts 17 and adapted to be pressed against the sides of the bath tub. These surface members 16 are cupped or recessed as at 18 to provide a suction held on the sides of the tub. Each of these disks has a socket 19 receiving a projection 20 on a stud 21. slidable in a sleeve 22 fixed by a pin 22 on the end of the bar. A spring 23 in the sleeve bears outwardly against the stud 20, and the latter has a pin 24L projecting into a slot 24 i the sleeve, preventing displacement of the stud from the sleeve.

Located centrally between the side posts 2 is a vertical bar 25 adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally, this bar being guided in suitable openings 26 in the cross bars 3 of the frame.

The intermediate portion of this bar, which constitutes a rack bar provided with a series of longitudinally spaced perforations 30 adapted to be engaged by the teeth of a pinion 31 fixed to the inner end of a horizontal shaft 32 which extends behind the frame and parallel thereto from a point to one side thereof. This bar is supported in bearings 33 on the end of arms 34 fixed to the lower one of the cross bars, 3 which is extended beyond the post at one end to receive the arm 3-1 and support the shaft The outer end of this shaft 32 has fixed thereto a pinion -10 which meshes with a gear segment 41 located in front thereof and pivoted on a. stub shaft 42 carried by a forward extension 34. of the outer arm 34, and having a forwardly extending handle 43.

Fixed to the bar 25 are a series of body engaging saddle like members 45, these mem. bers having the central rearward projections 16 by which they are secured to the bar 25 and rearward extensions 47 at their ends having segmental shoes 48 which slidably engage the posts 2. These members 45 may be provided with the corrugated surface members 49 of rubber or the like.

As a further feature of my invention, I

may provide a pipe 50 having perforations 51 on the top of the frame;"this tube having connected to opposite ends the flexible lengths oftubing 52 and 53 which mayconnect to hot and cold water faucets. One end of the pipe 50 may be plugged if desired and only one connection to the source of water supply be provided. This pipe 50 may conveniently be supported in straps 55 fixed to the top one of the cross bars 3. As shown most clearly in Fig. 3 the gear segment 41 may be formed with a slot 56 to which is connected the upper end of a link 57 which may connect to a suitable pump whereby operation of the handle 43 will pump water to the pipe 50.

It is believed the manner of operation of my device will be apparent from the fore going description. The device is placed in the bathtub with the feet 4 resting on the bottom ofthe latter. The bars 6 and 7 may be adjusted until the shoes are the right distance apart to be pressed by the springs 23 against the sides of the bathtub, the screws 10 being inserted in the proper registering openings in the bars. The suction members 16 will adhere firmly to the sides of the bathtub and the whole device will be held in an upright position.

The user will then sit with his back in contact with the corrugated members 49, in which position the handle 43 will extend upwardly and forwardly adjacent the right side of the user to be conveniently grasped and operated.

The handle 43 being moved backward and forward, the gear segment 41 will be OSCll:

lated and impart oscillation to pinions 40 and 31, the latter causing the bar 25 to be reciprocated and the members 45 to move up and down in engagement with the back of the user.

It willbe apparent that the arrangement of the parts as herein described enables any individual to massage or rub or otherwise treat or act upon his back with a minimum of effort, and that the device will form a useful adjunct to a bathroom.

Having thus described my invention and set forth the manner of its construction and use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A massage apparatus comprising a frame consisting of a pair of side posts and connecting cross bars, a vertical rack bar located between said posts, a shaft supported by one of said cross bars, gear pinions on said shaft, one of said pinions engaging said rack bar, a gear segment supported by Copies of this patent .may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 1

by said rack bar, and means for supporting said frame in a bath tub.

2. A device of the class described comprising a frame consisting of a pair of side posts and connecting cross bars, a vertical rack bar located between said posts and gulded by the said cross bars, a shaft supported byone of the said cross bars andhaving a pair of gear pinions on opposite ends thereof, one of said pinions engaging the said rack bar, a gear segment supported by the said cross bars engaging the other pinion, a handle for operating said gear segment, body engaging members carried by said rack bar, and means for supporting said frame in an upright position in a bathtub. Y

3. A device of the class described comprising a frame, consisting of a pair of side posts and connecting cross bars, a vertical rack bar located between said posts and guided by the said cross bars, a shaft supported by one of the said cross bars and having a pair of gear pinions on opposite ends thereof, one of said pinions engaging the said rack bar, a gear segment supported by the said cross bar engaging the other pinion, a handle for operating said gear segment, body engaging members carried by said rack bar and means for supporting said frame in an upright position in a bathtub, said means including a pair of relatively adjustable bars carried by said frame and having overlapping ends adapted to be se-' cured together.

4. A device of the class described comprising a frame consisting of a pair of side posts and connecting cross bars, a vertical rack bar located between said posts and guided by the said cross bars, a shaft supported by one of the said cross bars and having a pair of gear pinions on opposite endsthereof, one of said pinions engaging the said rack bar, a gear segment supported by the said cross bar engaging the other pinion, a handle for operating said gear segment, body engaglng members carried by said rack bar, said members being secured between their ends to the said rack bar, and having segmental portions at their ends slidably engaging the said side posts and spring pressed suction members carried by the outer ends of said frame.

In testimony whereof I have afliXed my signature.

STEPHEN KURTI-I.

Washington, D. G. i 

